November 2009- Mallorca

In October, my sister, Janel, came to visit for a couple of weeks. It was fun to have her here and we took lots of day trips to Flossenburg, Nabburg, Bayreuth, Prague, Dinkelsbuhl and went down to Salzberg for an overnight. It even snowed while she was here. When Thankgiving rolled around we decided to get out of the cold and headed to Mallorca (an island off the coast of Spain) with our next-door neighbors and good friends, the Deans and their four children. Since it was the off-season we were able to get flights and rent a house that slept 10 people for next to nothing. We spent a week on this beautiful island and got to explore a couple of cities and some gorgeous beaches in 70+ degree weather (it was in the 30s & 40s here in Germany).

We rented the house from a really nice couple that came with ping pong and pool tables and a lot of property where they kept sheep, chickens, ducks, rabbits, ponies, peacocks and pigeons. The kids were in heaven on this mini farm. The only downside was that Evie was TERRIFIED of the landlord, Alberto, and got hysterical every time he came to the house. She would run from him screaming "Bad Man, Bad Man." We couldn't figure out if it was his goatee or what that had her so frightened but we felt really bad because he was the nicest man.

We spent our week exploring different beaches each day, visiting the local market in the town of Inca for delicious produce, walking around downtown Palma, hiked around a nature preserve and watched a Birds of Prey show, drove to Cap de Formentor for a spectacular view, but most of all just relaxed. Here are some pictures from our week.

It's been a while since her toes have been in the sand.

Love this guy, he really is the best dad.

Yup, I think she's happy to be at the beach.

Mallorca, is very mountainous- it doesn't matter which direction you look, this is what you see.

We took a day trip to Palma (the largest city) to see this beautiful cathedral and walk around.

Owen and Ella on the pony- these two are best friends.

Evie was ambivalent about getting on the pony possibly because Alberto was holding the rope.

Evie's not as shy to pet the rabbit.

Alberto giving a pigeon to Owen to hold.

After years of chasing them, Owen finally caught a pigeon.

Hard at work with their shovels.

More fun with Dad.

Jared and Rand wading out with the little kids.

I love that sandy bum.

Shoveling sand never gets old.

Should this be an engagement photo?

From the Cap de Formentor.